My Big 2 year old!

Just so you all know, I am still alive! In the past few weeks i have been so crazy busy my poor blog has suffered! This is my first time on the computer in almost 2 weeks! BTW a big public thanks to those wonderful girls who sent me treats! I love you!

Jarrod stayed at his parents for a few weeks while his drugs kicked in and his leg healed (still not totally healed), we moved house and i have had mastitis! Woohoo!

Anyway, i will fill you all in, in more detail soon, but first...

Liji has turned 2... HERE's TO YOU BABY..

My Elijah, Happy boy. As a baby he was so cruisy i would forget to feed him! He never cried, had a smile permanently plastered on his face and was loved by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him.

When Joely was born he suddenly discovered his voice and has not come down since! He is now just as happy but DEFINITELY not quiet!

He is a constant source of joy. He loves cars, Thomas, mud, water, balls, Baby Doel (Joel) and his big sisters. He is a Carbon copy of his Uncle Blake, in looks and personality! He is cheeky beyond belief. He is the snuggliest, smiliest, giggliest little boy, an absolute joy. Right now he is sitting on the step of my craft room (YES, I HAVE A CRAFT ROOM!!!) holding a Thomas video case and kicking his feet!

I love you, my big boy!

xxx Mama

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

I do love being a Mummy!!




*Jarrod Update* Javi was discharged on Friday, he is having his dressing changed by a district nurse each day. It is starting to improve. We are in the middle of changing his meds, it is a very hard time.

Thankyou for all your lovely comments, they mean the world to me. I am sorry i can't reply personally to each of you right now, but please know i am feeling your love!

Jess

xx

Our life

I have read alot of blogs lately, talking about the differences between their *blog life* and their *real life*. I have decided to share some of my life tonight for a number of reasons. I don't want my life to appear as "perfect", those of you who know me IRL know that it is far from so.

Eighteen months ago my husband suffered Burn out (we were later to find out that this is the P.C name for a nervous breakdown). He has been unable to work for this time, it has been a huge battle for us, emotionally, physically and spiritually. For the past 5 months he has been suffering from depression as well.

This week has been our hardest of all. Among other things we were given 6 weeks notice on our house last weekend. I am now having to pack and find somewhere for our family to move to. (this will be our 7Th house in 5 years!)

Then on Sunday Javi developed an infection on his knee. He went to the hospital where the Dr said it wasn't infected, just inflammed (Uh, NO!). He went to the Dr. yesterday and she said, yes it was infected and gave him antibiotics. This morning at 7 he got up to go toilet and passed out in my arms from the pain. I had to call an ambulance and he has been admitted with a major infection, they are worried about it getting in to his joint.

Life with a sick partner is not easy, add 4 little kids in to the mix and it is extremely hard at times. I love my husband today more than i ever have before. I know one day i will have my best friend back, i will see his eyes light up and hear his laughter, i know one day my kiddies will get their Daddy back, but until that time i will keep praying for him everyday.

My Boys

Yesterday Baby Joel started to interact with his big brother for the first time!

I was holding Baby-Joel and Elijah was blowing a dandelion! Every time Liji blew the dandelion Baby-Joel cracked up laughing! When the dandelion was all finished, Liji started talking to Baby-J and making him laugh! It went on for about 10 minutes! SOOOO CUTE!!!! He has never laughed without physical contact before (tickling!!)

Kate, Whip-lash is an online craft competition, each month there is a different *task*. This month you had to make a *cozy*. Check it out, it is lots of fun. Whipup. (or click on the Whiplash button!)

My first ever Whip-lash entry!

Dummy (Binky) and Diper Cozy.
Dummy Cozy, hooks on to your key chain. Measures 8cm x 7cm when closed. Just big enough for a dummy (or a few coins, or whatever else is filling your pockets!)
The nappy cozy measures 16cm x 20cm. Just big enough for a folded disposable and a small pack of wipes!

The last ice-cream of summer?!

The kid's enjoyed an ice-cream this afternoon as they watched *Kevinthelawnmowerman* mow our lawns.
Last night i sat up until after 11.00, in a desperate attempt to finish Roo's quilt. I DID IT!

Here are the pics, just for you Dad!!! (I picked up the pink and gold cushion cover for $2 at The Sali Army!)

I have been encouraged by the studio/office pics going round at the moment, tonight I have been changing my dining room/entrance way/lounge all around! I have set my sewing machine up permanently! Yay! Where is Karen when i need her!!!

I will be posting photos as i go!

Nature Journals and Teetering towers!

I made the most exciting discovery yesterday! I was at my Mum and Dad's house and i was telling my Daddy about Charlotte Mason and her nature journals. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with Charlotte Mason, she was an educator in the late 1800's. She wrote many books and manuals talking about home education as is still considered a *must read* for those wanting to home school today!)

Anyways, I was telling Dad about the nature journals and he jumped up, ran up the hall and came back down carrying two books.

The first one, printed in 1885,has the delightful title of, BOTANY Designed to cultivate the observing powers, (The first book of Botany.) It is a teaching book for young children, with beautiful pen drawings.

i found this wonderful quote in the front...

.....Not that more is taught at an early age, but less; that time is taken; that the wall is not run up in haste; that the bricks are set on carefully, and the mortar allowed time to dry.
LORD STANLEY.

The second little book, simply titled, Plant Life, was presented to my great-grandmother in 1908, at Sunday School in Leeds, England. It has flowers pressed by my great-nan nan still between the pages and the most wonderful chapter titles.

How plants eat
How plants drink
How plants marry (?!)
various marriage customs (??!!)
More marriage customs(???!!!)
What plants do for their young (????!!!!)

Tonight we have our first fire of the season! It wasn't quite cold enough, but it is so nice to have a fire burning and to sit under Roo's quilt hand stitching the borders!

I walked into to Roo's room tonight to tuck her in and discovered a teetering tower of toys beside her!! you can see her new Giraffe (chosen by Roo and Nana on a special birthday date) and her giant pink hippo (from Uncle Jake!)